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Super Rugby player dies at just 25

<p>New Zealand rugby player Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged 25.</p> <p>Police were called to the scene of a sudden death in Fendalton, Christchurch just before 6pm on Monday, according to the <em>NZ Herald</em>. </p> <p>“The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the Coroner,” police said.</p> <p>Garden-Bachop, son of former All Black Stephen Bachop, was part of the Highlanders' Super Rugby squad this season, and they have also confirmed his death in a statement shared on Facebook.</p> <p>“On behalf of the entire rugby community, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association would like to extend our deepest thoughts and love to the Garden-Bachop family,” the statement read.</p> <p>“Connor passed away on Monday following a medical event, and rugby’s collective focus at this time is on supporting his family.</p> <p>"All of rugby walks alongside the Garden-Bachop family at this time and we are collectively united in our grief," the statement continued. </p> <p>“Connor was a fantastic young player, an exciting New Zealand age-grade representative and a proud Māori All Black. Wherever he played, he was a committed and popular teammate with infectious energy and someone who could light up the room.</p> <p>“Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.</p> <p>“NZR, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the Players Association are providing support and we ask that the privacy of the Garden-Bachop family is respected.”</p> <p>Garden-Bachop, an outside back, made his Highlanders debut in 2021. After five seasons with the team, the Highlanders announced on Facebook last week that he would not return to the team next season. </p> <p>The rugby player is survived by his twin daughters. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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Terminally-ill rugby player carried across marathon finish line by his best mate

<p>There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd when best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield crossed the finish line of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.</p> <p>The two Leeds Rhinos players have been raising money and awareness for people with Motor Neurone Disease since Burrow’s 2019 diagnosis, with the two raising an impressive total in the millions.</p> <p>And now, the pair have raised spirits and warmed hearts with Sinfield’s act at the end of their Leeds race, when he picked Burrow up from his chair and carried him over the finishing line. Before that, Sinfield had been pushing Burrow’s chair for 26.2 miles (42.2 km). </p> <p>The moment was met with cheering and applause as the wo concluded their marathon just after the 4 hour 22 minute mark, both from those who were there to witness it in person and from those who saw footage later when it circulated online. </p> <p>One Twitter user even went on to dub Burrow an “absolute gem of a human”, while another was certain that they were a “pair of absolute heroes”. </p> <p>“What a mate! Unbelievable in a world full of cr*p at the moment there are some genuinely lovely moments. These lads have been into battle together on the pitch for club and country,” one wrote. “It’s choked me up, I’m not going to lie.”</p> <p>“A bunch of legends,” someone else declared. “I’ve properly welled up watching this, this is what friendship is, to the ends of the earth and back.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Beautiful.</p> <p>Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow over the finish line at the end of the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/JFdd9XGgV4">pic.twitter.com/JFdd9XGgV4</a></p> <p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1657736670458916865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Prior to the event, Sinfield had spoken about the race to <em>The Sun</em>, and its 12,500 reported participants, as well as the thousands lining the streets to watch, and what it meant to be undertaking the marathon together. </p> <p>“Even if it was just Rob and I, we’d have a great time,” he said, “there’s no better way to do it than with your mate. The fact people want to share in it and do their own little bit is incredible.</p> <p>“This will be with mates, for mates and alongside mates, absolutely. Look across the world at big cities where marathons are run, there’s nothing like this.</p> <p>“We’ve not done any training. We ran a 10km together last July and that’s part of the challenge, doing something neither of us have done before. The unknown adds to the fun of it.</p> <p>“He’s in a custom-made chair but it could be a bumpy ride. I’ll try and find him the safest, comfiest route but if there are hills, there are hills. If it rains, it rains.”</p> <p>And as Burrow himself said to <em>The Guardian</em>, when asked about the seven marathons in seven days that Sinfield had run on behalf of Burrow, his family, and their fight against MND, “we all need a friend like Kevin.” </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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Body of missing Rugby League player found

<p dir="ltr">The body of missing rugby league player Bryn Hargreaves has been discovered, one year after he went missing without a trace.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hargreaves was 36 years old at the time of his disappearance, after he was reported missing in January 2022 after he failed to show up for work.</p> <p dir="ltr">His sudden disappearance sparked a major search operation led by police and tracker dogs in West Virginia, according to reports from <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21770264/rugby-league-bryn-hargreaves-disappearance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">More than a year after he was last seen, his body was found in dense woodland near the US home of Hargreaves, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11881511/EXCLUSIVE-Rugby-league-star-Bryn-Hargreaves-woodland-near-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mail</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bryn’s older brother Gareth broke the news of the discovery in an emotional Facebook post.</p> <p dir="ltr">He wrote, “RIP Bryn Hargreaves. With incredible sadness I can confirm after 14 months we have finally found Bryn.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“We still do not know the cause of death or what actually happened on 3/1/22. Thanks to all those that have helped in the search.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“We would appreciate a little space and will keep you updated when we have any further information x.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After a member of the public found the body and alerted the authorities, Monongalia County Sheriff’s office sent the remains to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office for a post-mortem and positive identification.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hargreaves, who hails from the UK, began his sporting career as he played in Super League for Wigan, St Helens and Bradford before retiring and moving to the States to work in the oil and gas industry at 26 years old.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hargreaves’ mum Maria also spoke out following the tragic news of his confirmed death.</p> <p dir="ltr">She wrote, “I’m in bits #heartbroken my beautiful son Bryn I can’t think of any words to describe the pain xx.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite finding his remains, there has been no cause of death confirmed.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Missing Queensland Cup rugby league player found dead

<p dir="ltr">A missing Queensland rugby league player has been found dead after an accident in a Barcelona nightclub.</p> <p dir="ltr">Redcliffe Dolphins player Liam Hampson, 24, was on holiday with several other teammates when he disappeared and was not seen for 30 hours.</p> <p dir="ltr">Reports from Spanish outlet La Vanguardia say that workers found Liam in the leisure complex at nightclub Sala Apolo.</p> <p dir="ltr">It suggested that Liam fell from a height of 10m and that police will be treating his death as an accident. </p> <p dir="ltr">The devastating news has broken family and friends who banded together desperate for Liam to come back home. </p> <p dir="ltr">Gold Coast Titans player AJ Brimson and Brisbane Broncos duo Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars, first took to Instagram in efforts to track Liam down.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch1ppxzrCCP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch1ppxzrCCP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Liam Hampson (@hampo101)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Liam’s father Brett, took to Facebook announcing the heartbreaking news and asked for privacy as the family comes to terms with their loss. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Waking up to the news no one wants to hear, we are devastated to find out that Liam had an accident and sadly has not survived," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are heartbroken to say the least. Liam had a heart of gold and was a much loved son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. Words can not express our grief.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We can not thank his mates enough for being there with Liam having the time of his life and assisting in the search for our boy. Our thoughts are with them.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are asking the media to respect our privacy as we work through this time."</p> <p dir="ltr">Liam’s sister Tiarna, also confirmed the shocking news remembering him as the “best brother”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are devastated to find out Liam had an accident and did not survive," Tiarno wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are so heartbroken. Liam was the best brother I ever could of asked (sic) for and made me a better person.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We cannot express our grief.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We cannot thank the boys he was travelling with enough for assisting with his search and made sure his last days were the best of his life. Going to miss you so much, Liam."</p> <p dir="ltr">Liam was an up and coming rugby league player after playing three seasons for Tweed Seagulls before his move to Redcliffe for 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook/Instagram</em></p>

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"The sport's greatest player": Billie Jean King's praise for Serena

<p dir="ltr">Serena Williams will be remembered as tennis’ “greatest player”, according to World Tennis Association (WTA) founder Billie Jean King, after the World No. 1 announced she would be retiring from professional tennis at this year’s US Open.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since her career began in 1995, Williams has won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 23 singles, 14 women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles, with King adding that the star player has “inspired a new generation of players and fans”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When Serena steps away from tennis, she will leave as the sport's greatest player,” King said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“After a career that has inspired a new generation of players and fans, she will forever be known as a champion who won on the court and raised the global profile of the sport off of it”</p> <p dir="ltr">Williams, who turns 41 next month, found it difficult to announce the news, writing in an op-ed published in Vogue that she felt “a great deal of pain” in deciding to hang up her racquet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads,” Williams said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-23f21c73-7fff-ce1d-d2de-9b48b3bbfa3c">Taking to Instagram, Williams shared photos from her <em>Vogue </em>cover, alongside a heartfelt message for fans.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChCgQH0rFbQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChCgQH0rFbQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“There comes a time when we have to decide to move in a different direction,” she began the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Williams announced she would be retiring following her departure from the WTA Toronto Masters on Wednesday, after losing to Swiss Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though she didn’t specify a retirement date, Williams is expected to compete again in Cincinnati before travelling to the US Open, which begins on August 29.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1a1c350-7fff-0020-2b59-62b81d97f2d2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @serenawilliams (Instagram)</em></p>

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Tennis player’s violent act leaves little boy in tears

<p dir="ltr">A little boy was left startled and in tears after a Romanian tennis player’s racquet ended up in the crowd at the French Open on Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Irina-Camelia Begu was 2-0 down in the third set of her second round match when she threw her racquet against a water box, according to <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/18697836/french-open-controversy-begu-child-throwing-racket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the racquet bounced violently off the box and into the stands, leaving the young boy distraught and startled.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the World No. 63 wasn’t defaulted, she did receive a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct after a tournament supervisor was consulted.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-aa7a87f0-7fff-c016-b814-0e79465e318e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Begu later apologised to the little boy in question, posing for a photo with him and his parents.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/GnTbQ4w31V">pic.twitter.com/GnTbQ4w31V</a></p> <p>— Sharapova Family (@MySugarpova) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySugarpova/status/1529794311487107073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It’s an embarrassing moment for me. I just want to apologise,” Ms Begu said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In my whole career I haven’t done something like this and I feel really bad and sorry. Sorry for the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a difficult moment because I didn’t want to hit that racquet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You hit the clay with the racquet but you never expect to fly that much.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ekaterina Alexandrova, who Ms Bega went on to defeat 6-7 6-3 6-4 in that match, said she was “disappointed” to leave the competition “like that”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was trying to do my best but seems like the rules were against me,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This shouldn’t be happening.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope after today’s match rules will be improved for everyone’s safety. We are responsible for our racquet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Journalists and viewers of the match quickly took to social media to question how Ms Begu avoided disqualification over the incident. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Folks, why are we still allowing this?” the New York Times’ Ben Rothenberg tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Begu didn’t throw the racquet especially hard but the consequences of her action shouldn’t be shrugged off by officials.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3b0bc39-7fff-d9c5-daa8-a1ab578eb3b4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Photographer Ella Ling wrote: “I was there (I’m in that shot). Absolutely beggars belief how she was allowed to continue playing. Horrible.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Video: obviously it wasn’t intentional but I just can’t see how this is not a default. Kid started crying, mom and dad were concerned. A mess. <a href="https://t.co/ljQlkYckwu">https://t.co/ljQlkYckwu</a></p> <p>— José Morgado (@josemorgado) <a href="https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1529793948507688962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The incident comes after Russian Andrey Rublev also escaped major punishment earlier on in the French Open after he slammed a ball in anger and it rebounded, flying past a tournament court assistant.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Seeing the Begu incident and Rublev incident from the other day, tennis officials really need to step up their game,” former world double No. 1 Rennae Stubbs said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think both should have been defaults.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We MUST start making players accountable for stupid decisions and those were both stupid decisions and could have been a lot worse.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-324ab83a-7fff-f60f-3f2e-0fcdd60e2de3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Tennis world reacts to disappearance of Chinese player

<p dir="ltr">Serena Williams has added her voice to the chorus of tennis stars concerned for the wellbeing of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who has been unreachable since accusing a powerful Chinese politician of assault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two weeks ago, Shuai took to Weibo to accuse former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her into sex during their long-term relationship. The post was quickly deleted, and her social media profiles have been silent since. A<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/pressure-is-mounting-on-china-to-confirm-the-safety-of-star-player-peng-shuai-amid-fears-she-is-missing/news-story/7b23a3a14256165a82f41506af669f0f" target="_blank">bizarre email</a><span> </span>claiming to be from the star did little to quell fears, with many feeling it wasn’t actually from Shuai.</p> <p dir="ltr">The email reads, “Hello everyone this is Peng Shuai. Regarding the recent news released on the official website of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the content has not been confirmed or verified by myself and it was released without my consent.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not missing, nor am I ­unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine. Thank you for caring about me. I hope to promote Chinese tennis with you all if I have the chance in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will become better and better.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Soon after, Tennis superstar Serena Williams posted her concerns about Shuai on Twitter. She wrote, “I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai”. The tweet was accompanied by a photo of the star with the hashtag #whereispengshuai over the top.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whereispengshuai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whereispengshuai</a> <a href="https://t.co/GZG3zLTSC6">pic.twitter.com/GZG3zLTSC6</a></p> — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/1461408866697105413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Others have shared the image, including the Women’s Tennis Association, coach Patrick Mouratoglou and stars including Benoit Paire, Julia Goerges and Maria Sakkari.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Friday, the International Tennis Writers’ Association released a statement in support of Peng.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Peng Shuai’s allegations are very serious, and she is very brave to have made them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We fully support the efforts of the WTA and other tennis bodies in calling for meaningful assurances that Peng Shuai is safe, and for the allegations she has made to be properly investigated, without censorship.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the meantime, we wish Peng Shuai and her family and friends all the strength they need to get through this very stressful time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Naomi Osaka posted a brief statement on Twitter, where she said she was in “shock” at the current situation. “Censorship is never OK at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK. I’m in shock of the current situation and I’m sending love and light her way.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIsPengShuai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIsPengShuai</a> <a href="https://t.co/51qcyDtzLq">pic.twitter.com/51qcyDtzLq</a></p> — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1460723353174433793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Novak Djokovic spoke to the press about Shuai’s disappearance following his ATP Tour Finals match against Casper Rudd, describing the situation as “terrible”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Honestly it’s shocking that she’s missing. More so that it’s someone that I’ve seen on the tour in previous years quite a few times.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s not much more to say than to hope that she’s OK and it’s just terrible … I can imagine how her family feels, you know, that she’s missing.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Zhong Zhi/Getty Images</em></p>

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Volleyball player reportedly beheaded by Taliban

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Warning: This story contains graphic content which may distress some readers.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A rising volleyball star </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10115333/Taliban-BEHEAD-womens-youth-volleyball-player-report-claims.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been killed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by the Taliban, with images of her head shared on social media, according to a report.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mahjabin Hakimi, a member of the Kabul Municipality Volleyball Club, was beheaded by members of the organisation earlier this month, according to claims her coach made in an interview with </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.independentpersian.com/node/185776/%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B6%D9%88-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Persian Independent</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several conflicting claims have been circulating on social media regarding her death, with reports claiming Mahjabin was killed a week before <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/kabul-has-fallen-what-s-happening-in-afghanistan" target="_blank">the Taliban seized Kabul</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A death certificate purportedly showed her date of death as mid-August.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other claims said she had committed suicide.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A photo purportedly of her body showed she had an injury to her neck, but it is unclear whether it was caused by a blade or a ligature.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the Payk Investigative Journalism Centre, based in Afghanistan, said its sources confirmed Mahjabin “was beheaded by the Taliban in Kabul”.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845032/volleyball1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bf96b466d9a04384bbecf2adad8e6031" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Twitter</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mahjabin’s coach said her death was only being reported now because the Taliban had threatened her family to remain silent about what happened to her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the image emerged online, the coach decided that she needed to speak out.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“All the players of the volleyball team and the rest of the women athletes are in a bad situation and in despair and fear,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Everyone has been forced to flee and live in unknown places.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The coach said only two members of the Kabul team managed to flee the country before the Taliban seized power at the end of August, with the rest now in hiding.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Italian Volleyball Federation announced on Friday that all of its leagues would observe a minute of silence for Mahjabin prior to their games on the weekend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It seems impossible that in 2021 someone will be killed just because they play volleyball or, even worse, because they want to chase their dreams,” the federation said in a </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.federvolley.it/news/il-mondo-del-volley-lutto-decapitata-una-giovane-pallavolista-afgana" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">statement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Instead it is a horrendous reality. The whole great volleyball community is in mourning today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Mahjabin, wherever you are, we like to think of you with a ball in your hand, finally free to play volleyball.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The devastating news comes as athletes have continued to be evacuated from the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FIFA, the governing body of football, negotiated the evacuation of 57 soccer and basketball players on Thursday, with most being women and children.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The organisation also said it worked with the Qatari government to evacuate almost 100 football players and their families, and assisted cycling body UCI with the evacuation of 165 refugees via Albania.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">50 female Afghan athletes and their dependents have been evacuated by Australia after lobbying from prominent sporting figures, while several of Afghanistan’s national female youth soccer players were granted asylum in Portugal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite making vague promises that their attitudes towards women had changed, the Taliban banned girls from returning to secondary school.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zahra Fayazi, a member of the senior volleyball team who fled to the UK, previously told the </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/volleyball/58612964" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that female players were threatened and destroyed their sporting equipment out of fear.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Many of our players who are from provinces were threatened many times by their relatives who are Taliban and Taliban followers,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They even burned their sports equipment to save themselves and their families. They didn’t want them to keep anything related to sport. They are scared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Taliban asked our players’ families to not allow their girls to do sport, otherwise they will be faced with unexpected violence.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Taliban also replaced the government’s women ministry with an all-male “vice and virtue” department.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No women have been included in the new government</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Twitter</span></em></p>

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Soccer player admits to killing ‘coronavirus’-stricken son

<p>A Turkish soccer player has admitted to smothering his five-year-old son to death while the child was being treated in hospital for symptoms linked to COVID-19.</p> <p>Cevher Toktas told police he killed his son Kasim at Dortcelik Children’s Hospital in Bursa because he never loved the boy “even when he was born”.</p> <p>The child was admitted to the hospital with a cough and high fever on April 23, and placed in isolation with his father.</p> <p>Later that day Toktas called for doctors, claiming his son’s condition had taken a turn for the worse. The child was rushed to the intensive care unit, where he died less than two hours later.</p> <p>Kasim’s death was originally not ruled as suspicious, although he tested negative for COVID-19.</p> <p>But Toktas turned himself in to the police on May 4 and confessed to having smothered his son, 10 days after the youngster’s funeral.</p> <p>According to local media, the 32-year-old said he yelled for doctors after committing the crime “to help to draw any suspicions away from me”.</p> <p>Toktas allegedly told investigators he killed Kasim because he “never loved him, even when he was born, and I can’t state why, I have no mental issues”.</p> <p>The soccer player was taken into custody. No trial date has been set yet.</p> <p>Turkish authorities have ordered Kasim’s body to be exhumed for a post-mortem.</p>

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“Utter disbelief”: Wallabies player’s mother involved in Israel Folau scandal

<p>Wallabies players are said to be in “utter disbelief” after a mother of young Wallabies star Jordan Petaia has admitted to “infiltrating” Israel Folau’s church.</p> <p>Helen Petaia confessed to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/wallabies-mother-infiltrates-church-run-by-israel-folaus-father/news-story/8ba7761db554bea22040c64a981e1037" target="_blank">The Herald Sun</a></em><span> </span>that she was the anonymous parent who had gone undercover in Folau’s church to learn more about it.</p> <p>She explained that she became concerned when Folau started inviting players to the church that was set up by his father Eni in 2013. The church is called the Truth of Jesus Christ Church.</p> <p>"I honestly do not want my son involved in what I have come to understand is false teachings and counterfeit Christianity,” she told <em>The Herald.</em></p> <p>Helen explained that it “disturbed her greatly” after deciding to attend the church for herself.</p> <p>“I’ve gone, I’ve checked it out and I would call them an isolated hate group.”</p> <p>However, her actions might have had the opposite effect as the Wallabies camp has sent a flood of messages of support for Folau.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/mother-of-wallabies-star-jordan-petaia-infiltrates-church-run-by-israel-folaus-father/news-story/582fd00bbcfc19736916671db0f5ac72" target="_blank"><em>The Australian</em></a>, “many of the messages expressed players’ disappointment and ‘utter disbelief’ that Petaia’s mother had gone to such ‘extreme lengths’, going to the media to warn of Folau’s ­religious beliefs and her concerns about his influence on young rugby players.”</p> <p>Helen has since spoken out about the controversy, saying that Folau’s father Eni has said that she’s “going to hell”.</p> <p>“I have no doubt many Christian parents would be concerned if their child was to become entangled in the false teachings and religious practices Israel Folau endorses,” she told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2019/jordan-petaias-infiltrated-israel-folaus-church-to-protect-her-son/news-story/1815de9c460381a387a6c4e6584de084" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a></em>.</p> <p>“There are many Christian leaders who agree with my assessment of the Folau church.”</p>

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The moment "livid" Australian Open player "absolutely snaps" in dramatic on-court meltdown

<p>Spanish tennis player Pablo Carreno Busta has issued an apology after he had stunned spectators with his on-court meltdown and yelling at the chair umpire.</p> <p>The No. 23 decided to wreak havoc after a stunning, five-hour match against Japanese player Kei Nishikori, who defeated Busta and progressed into the quarterfinals.</p> <p>Busta started off the match with a calm demeanour, but it soon turned ugly after the umpire awarded a controversial point to Nishikori during a tense fifth set tie-break.</p> <p>The lengthy match had people on the edge of their seats as both players were even before Busta completely lost it towards the end.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Crucial time for a crucial call, and Carreno Busta is NOT HAPPY about this.<br /><br />WATCH LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/9yBwzk2qyQ">https://t.co/9yBwzk2qyQ</a> <br />FOLLOW LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD">https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9WWOS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9WWOS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/o3OuXJlQgB">pic.twitter.com/o3OuXJlQgB</a></p> — Wide World of Sports (@wwos) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1087323361951178752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 January 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Nishikori kept his cool, despite the events unfolding in front of him and the fact that he was down 8-5.</p> <p>The match took a drastic turn once the chair umpire announced the controversial decision following a late linesman’s call, which claimed that Busta would not have returned a Nishikori backhand.</p> <p>Using his best efforts, Busta attempted to convince the umpire that he had stopped playing due to the overruled line call, but the point was still given to Nishikori.</p> <p>Chair umpire Thomas Sweeney refused to let Busta replay the point, causing the tennis player to launch a lengthy tirade.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">No mercy! <br /><br />WATCH LIVE: <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Channel9</a> <br />FOLLOW LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD">https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9WWOS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9WWOS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/g13kLSQ98Q">pic.twitter.com/g13kLSQ98Q</a></p> — Wide World of Sports (@wwos) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1087338879907127296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 January 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The 27-year-old was booed off the court on Margaret Court Arena, as he refused to shake Sweeney’s hand after the match. He did however congratulate Nishikori as he exited the stadium.</p> <p>During his post-match conference, Busta issued an apology, saying his behaviour was uncalled for.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Pablo Carreño Busta devastated after he bowed out of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9WWOS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9WWOS</a> <a href="https://t.co/FFUrCGwCkD">pic.twitter.com/FFUrCGwCkD</a></p> — Wide World of Sports (@wwos) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1087361659549683712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 January 2019</a></blockquote> <p>"The way I left the court was not right, and I'm so sorry, because that's not me," he said through tears.</p> <p>"I am very sad because after five hours of fighting the way that I leave from the court wasn't correct.</p> <p>"I think that the referee missed. And when I tried to leave as fast as posible, I lost the head. It's tough for me to leave the Australian Open like this because I thought I played really well. It's tough to leave like this."</p> <p>Were you watching the match? Do you agree with Busta’s outburst? Let us know in the comments.</p>

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Roger Federer’s hilarious response to becoming oldest World No. 1 tennis player

<p>Roger Federer has become the oldest ever ATP World No. 1 after beating Robin Hasse in the quarter-final of the Rotterdam Open, overtaking rival Rafael Nadal.</p> <p>He capped the amazing return to the top spot with a powerful finals performance over Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2, winning his 97th title.</p> <p>The 36-year-old Swiss champion took to social media to celebrate the news with a hilarious tweet, poking fun at his “old age” in tennis years.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Apparently I'm the oldest tennis player with a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/1%EF%B8%8F%E2%83%A3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#1️⃣</a> ranking. Somebody might have mentioned that to me already but I had a hard time hearing 👴🏻</p> — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/964645219760201728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>He wrote: “Apparently I'm the oldest tennis player with a #1 ranking. Somebody might have mentioned that to me already but I had a hard time hearing.”</p> <p>On a more serious note, he said of his return to no. 1: “Reaching No 1 is one of, if not the ultimate achievement in our sport. Sometimes at the ­beginning you just kind of get there because you played so well but later you have to fight for it and have to wrestle it back from someone who deserves to be there. When you are older you maybe have to put double the work in. This maybe means the most to me in my career. What an amazing run and journey it has been for me.”</p>

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This team of 80-year-old female basketball players proves age is just a number

<p>The San Diego Splash may be the oldest team in the San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association but they are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.</p> <p>The team, where all players must be 80 or over to join, play to win and currently have two titles at the National Senior Games.</p> <p>Two of the women on their team, Meg Skinner and Grace Larson, are 91.</p> <p>The team plays three-on-three in 30-minute court games and the players are leading health due to the strenuous exercise they regularly dedicate themselves to.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FespnW%2Fvideos%2F10155261516070734%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>"A lot of my childhood friends thought I was crazy at 66 to be playing basketball. They said, 'You'll break an arm, you'll break a leg,'" 87-year-old Marge Carl told ESPNW.</p> <p>"You know, I'm the only one surviving of my childhood friends. They're all gone, every one of them."</p> <p>Grace Larson explained that she is making up for the time in her childhood when she could not play basketball.</p> <p>"I was 78 when I got my first basketball shoes, so that was a thrill. Growing up, we didn't have sports like the girls do today. We didn't have the opportunity to play."</p> <p>Grace describes her team as “friendship, a sisterhood, a family”.</p> <p>"It's the nicest group of people from all walks of life."</p> <p><em>Image credit: ESPNW via Facebook </em></p>

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Federer slams new generation of tennis players

<p>After securing his 19th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has blasted the new generation of tennis players for failing to take over.</p> <p>The normally mild-mannered Federer gave a blunt assessment of the current generation of tennis talent which includes the likes of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios.</p> <p>“Every generation definitely is different,” Federer said. “Since my generation and Rafa’s generation, the next one hasn’t been strong enough to push all of us out really, so that has been helpful for us to stick around.”</p> <p>The 35-year-old blasted the conservative playing style of the new generation.</p> <p>“I have played almost every player here that wouldn’t serve and volley. It’s frightening to see this at this level. I look at the stats and go into whichever round it is and see that the guy I’m going to face is playing two per cent of serve and volley throughout the championships. I’m going, ‘OK, I know he’s not going to serve and volley’, which is great,” Federer said.</p> <p>“Then we are talking about grass, it was playing fast this week (compared with the first week). I wish that we would see more players taking chances up at the net because good things do happen there. You want to be there and have to spend some time up there to feel confident and good there.”</p> <p>Do you agree with Roger Federer? Or do you believe the new generation of tennis talent has some hope? Let us know in the comments section below. </p>

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